Indiana stymies N.Y.

Knicks led game once in early going but can't get offense in gear vs. Pacers

Associated Press

Associated Press

Updated 12:03 am, Sunday, May 12, 2013

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, left, hits a shot over New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler during the second half of Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series in Indianapolis, Saturday, May 11, 2013. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Indiana Pacers center Roy Hibbert, left, hits a shot over New York...

New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire, left, dunks during the first half of Game 3 of an Eastern Conference semifinal NBA basketball playoff series against the Indiana Pacers in Saturday, May 11, 2013, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Roy Hibbert had 24 points and 12 rebounds and Paul George had 14 points, eight rebounds and eight assists to lead the Pacers past New York 82-71 Saturday night in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The Pacers are up 2-1, with Game 4 of the best-of-seven series Tuesday in Indy.

Carmelo Anthony scored 21 points to lead the Knicks, who led only once in the game for a total of 76 seconds. New York spent the final 45 minutes trying to play catch-up but never did.

Amar'e Stoudemire looked rusty after returning from a two-month absence, going 3 of 8 from the field and finishing with seven points. J.R. Smith scored nine points after missing the morning shootaround because of a 102-degree fever.

Indiana took control with a 14-3 run that gave it a 58-44 third-quarter lead, and the Knicks never got closer than eight

The big questions heading into the game were whether Smith would play, whether Stoudemire would be effective and whether Indiana could get back to its brand of basketball.

Smith gave it a go, but his shooting problems continued as he went 4 of 12 from the field and walked straight to the locker room when he was replaced with 7:45 left in the game. He returned to the game a few minutes later.

Stoudemire, meanwhile, hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer in eight minutes and grabbed two rebounds.

The biggest difference between Games 2 and 3 was how the Pacers played.

Four days after being embarrassed in a 26-point loss at New York, the Pacers got tough. New York shot just 35.2 percent from the field and made only three 3s, Anthony got into foul trouble by picking up three in a 2:18 span during the third quarter and, of course, Indiana finished with a 53-40 rebounding advantage.

The result: Instead of struggling over the final 18 minutes, the Pacers thrived.

Grizzlies 87, Thunder 81: Marc Gasol scored 20 points and hit two free throws with 1:03 left to put Memphis ahead to stay, and the Grizzlies held off Oklahoma City to take a 2-1 lead in this Western Conference semifinal. Gasol scored 16 in the second half as Memphis remained unbeaten at home in the postseason. The Grizzlies pulled out the win in an ugly performance for both teams.